Newfoundland and Labrador Health Authority Reports Progress in Nursing Crisis

Concerns about nursing shortages in Newfoundland and Labrador have persisted for years, but recent data suggests that the situation is improving. According to Debbie Malloy, vice-president of human resources for Newfoundland and Labrador Health Services (NLHS), the province is beginning to turn a corner in addressing its nursing crisis. “We are doing fairly well compared to others in Canada in our registered nursing workforce,” Malloy stated in an interview with CBC News.

The optimism stems from findings by the Canadian Institute for Health Information (CIHI), which reported that Newfoundland and Labrador boasts the highest percentage of full-time nurses in Canada and the best 20-year retention rate. Malloy noted that the data, while promising, reflects the situation as of 2024, indicating a two-year lag in reporting.

New Opportunities for Nursing Graduates

In a bid to tackle staffing shortages, NLHS has announced a range of newly created permanent full-time positions for graduates from Memorial University. An email sent to the university’s 2026 graduating class highlighted the need for nurses in eastern Newfoundland. “We always have a relief need,” Malloy explained, adding that graduates would be hired into float positions to provide support where required.

Some of these float positions will allow nurses to work directly in specific departments, such as cardiology or mental health, while others will be assigned to various departments for a year. “We’re trying, right now, to first make that offer of a permanent position to come with us,” Malloy said.

Enhancing Accessibility in Nursing Education

Outside of St. John’s, satellite nursing schools affiliated with Memorial University in Gander, Happy Valley-Goose Bay, and Grand Falls-Windsor are preparing to graduate their first classes. Brittany Humby, a student in Gander, shared her experience, emphasizing the importance of local education options for aspiring nurses. “Without this opportunity, it would not have been possible for us,” she said, adding that many of her classmates are also parents striving to balance family and education.

Malloy indicated nearly 100 percent of the nurses graduating from these satellite campuses have accepted job offers, an encouraging sign for the province’s healthcare system. She acknowledged the challenge of attracting healthcare professionals to rural areas, stating, “It is sometimes difficult to entice people to leave the urban areas and to move to more rural areas of the province.”

Despite these positive developments, challenges remain. Yvette Coffey, president of the Registered Nurses’ Union Newfoundland and Labrador, acknowledged progress but cautioned that the crisis is not over. “We have gone from 752 nursing vacancies three years ago down to 345 nursing vacancies as of April 2025,” Coffey noted, describing the current vacancy rate as still significant.

Coffey is actively engaging with nurses across the province to address ongoing concerns, particularly regarding overcrowded emergency departments and the use of private agency nurses. “Have we turned the corner with numbers? Yes. Have we turned the corner in the healthcare crisis? We’re moving inch by inch,” she remarked, emphasizing the need for continued efforts to improve conditions for nurses and patients alike.

With the recent data and the promise of new job opportunities, Newfoundland and Labrador appears to be making strides in resolving its nursing crisis. As the province continues to adapt and respond to these challenges, the healthcare landscape may see further improvements in the coming years.